Parking meter

ABSTRACT

A parking meter includes a payment input device, an optical indicating device with optical indicating elements, actuating elements for a corresponding number of parking spaces provided for and interacting with the indicating elements, wherein the indicating elements, the actuating elements and the input device are connected in a common control device. An actuating key labeled “zero” is provided for initiating operation of the parking meter The optical indicating device includes a luminescent diadoe panel with indicating lights. The actuating device includes additional actuating keys. Only one indicating light is provided for each actuating key. A sound reproduction device with a loudspeaker is provided for an acoustic announcement of the paid parking time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a parking meter with an input device for meansof payment, particularly with a coin slot, and an indicating device forindicating the course of a paid parking time. The invention also relatesto a control device for a parking meter.

2. Description of the Related Art

Especially in town centers with dense traffic, the available parkingspace is often limited. According to the state of the art, so-calledparking meters are used to counter long-term parking; they have a slotfor coins into which different coins can be inserted, depending on thedesired parking time and necessary parking fees. By actuating a turningknob existing on the parking meter, the parking meter releases theselected and paid parking time. A rotating plate, which is connected toa clock, rotates after expiration of the parking time back to a “0-mark”which indicates the expiration of the paid parking time. Thedisadvantage of these parking meters consists in the quite complicatedmechanism which, in addition to this, is susceptible to wear. Even ifsuch parking meters are configured as double parking meters for twoparking spaces, finally a time synchronously running mechanism isrespectively required per parking space.

In many towns and municipalities, parking ticket issuing machines areused besides parking meters. These parking ticket issuing machinesactivate, after insertion of a certain amount of money and selection ofthe desired parking time, a printing unit which outputs the parking timeresulting from the paid fees as final parking time. With this system,the parking space user is instructed to place the issued parking ticketinside the motor vehicle so as to be visible in such a way to allow tocheck if the parking time is exceeded. This method is quite troublesomefor the parking space user since he has to cover the way there and backfrom the vehicle to the parking ticket issuing machine before he canlock the vehicle and leave the parking space. In addition, when beingplaced into the vehicle, the parking tickets are blown away from theinstrument panel, where they always have to be placed, by external blastor already by slamming the door and lay on the floor of the vehicle,unrecognizable if they are to be checked. The parking ticket issuingmachines also are complicated since they must comprise an electricallydrive printing unit.

Moreover, it is known by the german model of utility 296 06 229 toprovide a parking ticket issuing machine for each parking space with asupplementary housing with a window for the insertion of a parkingticket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to make available a parking meterand a device for its control of the above stated type, whereby the abovementioned disadvantages are eliminated, the construction of the parkingmeter should be improved and simplified and the handling thereof shouldbe easier also for the checking personnel.

According to the invention, the indicating device has at least twovisual or acoustic indicating means for a corresponding number ofparking spaces, whereby an actuation element is operationaly connectedto the coordinated indicating element and whereby all indicating means,the actuating element and the input device for means of payment areconnected to a common control device. The selected memorized and paidparking time is acoustically confirmed and has thus the function of areceipt. The running parking time is visually or acoustically indicatedby the indicating means.

This has the advantage that no receipts, which have to be placed in theparking vehicle in the area of the windscreen, have to be issued anymore.

Preferable further developments of the parking meter are described inthe subclaims.

The result is a particularly simple, inexpensive and efficientconstruction when the parking meter has a columnar or box-type casing,whereby the actuating element is a rotary valve, the indicating elementsare luminescent diodes, the indicating device is a luminescent diodefield, the control device has at least one clock, particularly oneelectronic clock which is respectively connected to the indicatingelements, the control device has a keyboard which has the actuatingelement, the actuating element having at least two keys, and whereby akey is assigned to each indicating element and/or the keys are keybuttons with spring elements or touch contact keys or sensors orproximity switches.

For increasing the reliability of operation and for avoiding fraud ormanipulation attempts, the input device for means of paymentadvantageously has a test device, especially a coin acceptor unit

To increase the operating convenience and to facilitate the operation,the parking meter furthermore has a sound reproduction device whichpreferably acoustically indicates a paid parking time and whichparticularly is a speech module.

Preferably, the control device has at least one clock, especially oneelectronic clock which is connected respectively to the indicatingelements. Advantageously, one clock, especially one electronic clock, isprovided for each parking space.

A parking meter which is particularly convenient and reliable foroperation results from the fact that the control device has amicroprocessor system which is connected to the input device for meansof payment and to the indicating means. The control device has at leastone clock, especially one electronic clock which is connected to themicroprocessor system. Advantageously, one clock, especially oneelectronic clock, is provided for each parking space.

Preferably, the input device for means of payment has a sensor whichgives a signal to the control device when means of payment are beinginput.

Preferably, the input device for means of payment has additionally anactuating element which relases, when actuated, the return of inputmeans of payment.

For an optimal sytem operation with defined conditions, the parkingmeter is provided with an actuating element which initializes theparking meter into a predetermined initial state.

For a control device of the above stated type, it is provided foraccording to the invention that this control device has the following: amicroprocessor system which is connected to a time measuring device,input means for means of payment, at least two indicating means forindicating the expiration of a paid parking time and an input device forthe selection of an indicating device.

Preferable further developments of the parking meter and of the controldevice are described in the subclaims.

Thus, it results in a simple, inexpensive device which is reliable foroperation because the time measuring device is an electronic clock, theinput device for means of payment is a coin slot, the input device forthe selection of an indicating element is a keyboard, the input devicefor the selection of an indicating element has at least two keys,whereby a key is assigned to each indicating element, the keys are keybuttons with spring elements or touch contact keys or sensors orproximity switches, the input device for the selection of an indicatingelement is a rotary valve, the indicating elements are luminescentdiodes, particularly a luminescent diode field and/or a separate timemeasuring device is provided for each parking space.

An increased reliability for operation and a protection againstfraudulous handling is obtained by the fact that the input device formeans of payment has a test device, especially a coin acceptor unit.

An additional support for the user and a corresponding comfortimprovement for the operation is obtained by the fact that the parkingmeter has a sound reproduction device which is connected to themicroprocessor system. The sound reproduction device indicates,preferably acoustically, a paid parking time. The sound reproductiondevice is preferably a speech module.

Preferably, the input device for means for payment has a sensor whichgives a signal to the microprocessor system when means of payment havebeen input into the device.

Preferably, the input device for means of payment has an actuatingelement which releases the return of input means of payment whenactuated.

To obtain the operation with initial conditions defined at any time,there is an actuating element which initializes the control device intoa predetermined initial state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to theattached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a parking meter according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic logic diagram of a control device according tothe invention for a parking meter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a parking meter according to theinvention 100 with actuating keys 22, a zero key 20, flashlights 24 anda small shed 26 for the protection against atmospheric influences.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic logic diagram of a control device according tothe invention 200 for a parking meter 100. This parking meter shows acentral microprocessor unit 10, a coin insertion device 16 with a coininsertion slot 16 a, a keyboard 14 with actuating keys 22, a luminescentdiode panel 12 with flashlights 24 and an electronic clock 18. Themicroprocessor unit 10 is connected to the other components preferablyover a data transmission network with data busses 18. Moreover, there isalso a zero key 20.

The keyboard 14, as a manually actuatable mechanism for this electroniccontrol system 200, is constituted by keys with microswitches which areplaced directly on the board 14 with electronic contact to themicroprocessor 10. Spring elements can be between keys andmicroswitches. However, touch contact keys (sensors) can also be used.The microswitches serve as communication of the electronic system 200with the keys. The actuating keys 20, 22 are designed for example asspring loaded push keys or as touch contact keys.

Besides, the microswitches the system 200 can have a photocell or amicroswitch which receives a signal of the coin insertion device 16 overa spring loaded lever.

The input or data input components of this system 200 are the keyboard14, the coin insertion device 16 and the timing unit (electronic clock)18. The luminescent diode panel is the output or indicating component.

An acoustic or a visual indicating element 24 is assigned to eachactuating key 22. The number of the actuating keys 22 with theindicating elements 24 corresponds to the number of the parking spacesto be operated. The parking meter 100 can be designed for the operationof one parking space as well as for the operation of several parkingspaces.

The electronic system of the parking meter is characterized by themicroprocessor system which is connected to the mechanic device in formof a coin loader and of an electronic clock, whereby a keyboard isconnected to the system input and a diode luminescent board is connectedto the system output.

The key marked with “zero” has to be actuated before coin insertion.Thereafter, one or several coins are inserted into the coin slot.Thereafter, among the series of numbers “1 to 8”, the key of the numberwhich coincides with the correspondingly numbered parking space has tobe pressed. If one parks on space “5”, the key with the number “5” hasto be pressed. If this key is pressed, an acoustic announcement of theparking time is made over an integrated loudspeaker. This acousticannouncement is simultaneously the confirmation that the charge has beenpaid for the corresponding parking time. If an indication of “30minutes” is acoustically announced, the parking time is only 30 minutes.However, the acoustic announcement can announce other parking times if,for example, two coins have been inserted and it then results a parkingtime of “60 minutes”.

Besides each key with the numbers “1 to 8”, there is a visual signallight (flashing light). When pressing the key, the occupant of theparking space “5” not only releases the acoustic announcement but alsosimultaneously the flashing light is actuated, as soon as the parkingtime charge is confirmed. This visual signal is provided for persons(checking personnel or municipal superintending authorities) which checkthe parking meters. If the light corresponding to the key with thenumber “5” flashes, the checking person knows that the charge for thisparking space n^(o) “5” has been paid and also that the parking time hasnot yet expired.

This flashing light is on as long as the parking time runs.

The number of the keys “1 to 8” may be any number. For example, keys “1to 12” may also be provided for.

The acoustic announcement takes place over a speech module placed in theinner part of the casing of the parking meter. This speech module has tobe connected to the coin counter when inserting the coins andadditionally to each individual key from the series of keys “1 to 8”since, depending on the number of the inserted coins, the announcementhas to indicate the corresponding parking time, i.e. by inserting oneone-mark coin, a parking time of 30 minutes will be acousticallyanounced. When inserting two coins, after having actuated the key “5”the acoustic announcement indicates that a 60 minutes parking time isavailable.

The acoustic announcement of the duration of the parking time can alsooccur over a carrier system like for example a sound reproduction devicewhich is installed in the parking meter. For such a sound reproductiondevice, the corresponding announcement is for example contained on atape which is then played.

Instead of button keyboards, other types of press switches can also beused like, among others, proximity switches.

The advantage of the new parking meter especially consists in the factthat no receipts which have to be placed in the parking car in the areaof the windscreen are issued any longer. The parking space visitor parkshis car and actuates the parking meter and, when the parking metervalidates quasi acoustically the paid parking time, the parking spaceuser does not need to go back to his car, since he has already receivedthe receipt from the parking meter and every inspector finds the visualconfirmation at the parking meter, even at a bigger distance, that theparking charge has been paid for a certain time. The unending running toand fro concerning the charge confirmation for the known parking systemsis eliminated. For the new parking system there is no need for printingblack or paper reel stock.

The parking meter can also contain a coin acceptor unit. False coins arenot returned. Preferably, a coin acceptor unit is activated after eachcoin insertion. Optionally, it can be provided for that false coins arekept from the start, which allows to avoid several attempts of parkingmeter manipulations with foreign currency coins which are similarly bigor similarly heavy but which have a lower value or to avoid that theseattempts of parking meter manipulations finally create a coin congestionin the coin slot. The parking space user is discouraged, from the start,to try such attempts by an indication on the parking meter noticing thatinappropriate coins will be kept without return possibility.Alternatively and as basically known by the prior art, a coin return keywith a corresponding removal pit can be provided for. Naturally, thedescribed parking meter may also be combined to a money changer, forinstance if the parking fee to be paid corresponds respectively to acoin which is not so often commonly used.

The coin acceptor unit which preferably exists in the parking meter issuch designed that, when operating a money return key or a coin acceptorunit activating switch, only coins for which the parking meter isdesigned are returned. Foreign currency coins or false money are notreturned when actuating the money return key, but remain in the parkingmeter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A parking meter comprising an input device formeans of payment, an optical indicating device with optical indicatingelements, actuating elements for a corresponding number of parkingspaces provided for and interacting with the indicating elements,wherein the indicating elements, the actuating elements and the inputdevice are connected in a common control device, further comprising anactuating key labeled “zero” for initiating operation of the parkingmeter, wherein the optical indicating device comprises a luminescentdiode panel with indicating lights, wherein the actuating deviceincludes additional actuating keys, wherein only one indicating light isprovided for each actuating key, further comprising a sound reproductiondevice with a loudspeaker for an acoustic announcement of the paidparking time.
 2. The parking meter according to claim 1, comprising acolumnar or box-like housing.
 3. The parking meter according to claim 1,wherein the input device includes a testing device.
 4. The parking meteraccording to claim 3, wherein the testing device is a coin acceptorunit.
 5. The parking meter according to claim 1, wherein the soundreproduction device is a speech module.
 6. The parking meter accordingto claim 1, wherein the control device includes a keyboard provided withan actuating element.
 7. The parking meter according to claim 1, whereineach actuating key is one of a key button with spring elements and touchcontact keys and sensors and proximity switches.
 8. The parking meteraccording to claim 7, wherein the keys are connected to microswitches.9. The parking meter according to claim 1, wherein each actuatingelement is a rotary valve.
 10. The parking meter according to claim 1,wherein the indicating device has three or more indicating elements forthree or more parking spaces.
 11. The parking meter according to claim1, wherein the indicating device includes six or more indicatingelements for six or more parking spaces.
 12. The parking meter accordingto claim 1, wherein the indicating device includes twelve or moreindicating elements for twelve or more parking spaces.
 13. The parkingmeter according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes at leastone electronic clock connected to the indicating elements.
 14. Theparking meter according to claim 13, comprising an electronic clock foreach parking space.
 15. The parking meter according to claim 1, whereinthe control device comprises a microprocessor system connected to theinput device and the indicating elements.
 16. The parking meteraccording to claim 15, wherein the control device has at least oneelectronic clock connected to the microprocessor system.
 17. The parkingmeter according to claim 1, wherein the a clock is provided for eachparking space.
 18. The parking meter according to claim 17, wherein theclock is an electronic clock.
 19. The parking meter according to claim1, wherein the input device comprises a sensor for providing a signal tothe control device when means of payment are put into the input device.20. The parking meter according to claim 1, wherein the input devicefurther comprises an actuating element which when actuated releases areturn of input means of payment.
 21. The parking meter according toclaim 1, wherein the parking meter comprises an actuating element forinitializing the parking meter into a predetermined initial state.